The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-14
A SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
Joseph C. G.. Kennedy Stabbed and Killed in
the Streets of Washington.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, July 13.-The brutal and want
on murder of prominent citizen occurred this
afternoon at 5 o'clock, at the corner of PennsyI-
vania avenue and Fifteenth street, in front OF
the Riggs Bank. As Joseph c. G. Kennedy left
his real estate Office, Immediately adjoining the
bank, and walked toward q letterbox, he was
followed by John Daily. AS he posted the letter
Mr.. Kennedy turned. whereupon DAILY plunged
!. case knife to the hilt in the left side of tho
abdomen of the aged man. The stricken man
fell to the sidewalk gaspng, the blood gushing
from the dreadful cut. Dr. Ruth, OF the
navy who was driving by. jumped
out. made an examination. and pronounced the
wound fatal Kennedy died in a few minutes.
The murderer stood calmly gazing at his bloody
knife as bystander caught hold of him. Daily
was soon after taken in charge by an officer,
who hurried him to the station. He dis
charged from the woIk- house this morning. and
is said to be demented. He hung around his
his victims Office all this afternoon, evidently
waiting for him. At the police station, tonight
DAILY made !. rambling statement, saying the
dead man had swindled him out of some
money in a real estate transaction. The only
possible basis for this, far learned
tonight, is that a number of years ago Daly's
father was in the employ of Mr.. Kennedy who
gave him piece of property which he after
wards bought back.
The event can probably be set down
other case of Guiteauism. A wife and two
daughters survive the murdered man. Mrs.
Kennedy shocked when she was told that
an accident had happened her husband that it is
supposed she will die when the whole truth is
told her.
Mr. Kennedy. who was 75 years of age, had
a large acquaintance with public affairs and
men, and was regarded as high authority on all
national questions No man was more familiar
with the history of the country, and his wide
learning rendered him particularly prominent
at Washington for the past thirty years. He was
erudite classical scholar. Emminent schol-
from all countries were enter tanned by him,
and his library was the theater of many learned
gatherings. He was intimate friend of
Charles Sumner, Edward Everett VIM. Pitt
Fessenden. Rsverdy johnson, Henry Clay,
IL their cas' s.y and and the ,ms saans when
Congressman Brooks of Sonth Carolina,
saulted Charles Sumner the floor CT the
tho Senate and wild scene Of disorder ensued,
Mr. Kennedy came in with the crowd. and
his interference behalf of Mr.. Sumner
resented by Senator Borland, of Arkansas, who
struck him violently in the face. knocking him
down and breaking his The fractured
member ever afterward was crooked at side.
Mr.. Kennedy was anti-slavery Democrat,
and although his views on this question: before
the late war. were not generally known
spected. he nevertheless sympathized secretly
with Geritt Smith. Wendell Phillips and
movement No was better
favoraoly known at the national capital.
aud his advice in public as well
in private matters was largely
we'll advanced in years, Mr.. Kennedy was act
lively engaged in business pursuits and fairly
possessed of all mental and physical qualities
He was extremely benevolent. His terrible
no fatality since the assassination of President
Garfield has occasioned greater excitement.